Just finished watching a Traviata from NYCO. Scotto directed. Could not help
but notice how really fine the singers were. This was a production from some
years back. The Violetta was one Janice Hall. A really beautiful voice, even
throughout the range, flexible, on pitch(a serious problem with some recent
Met singers), good looking and convincing in the role. Alfredo was Steven Mark
Brown. A voice in a way like Kraus. Beautiful control, long line, able to sing
softly, strong focused top. A delight from beginning to end.
Last night I suffered through a recent Turandot. Gorgeous chorus, beautifully
set, blocking of superb quality, a very finely sung Liu. The Calaf was so
strained, so tight, so off key at times it made me wish for Kurt Baum. Like
Baum, he too had that one top money note. Not worth listening to just to get
to that.The Turandot looked more like Mama Lucia. Where are the make-up
artists and hairdressers at the Met? Any local drag artists could have pulled
together a better look for this soprano. No body could have helped this
shredded, wobbly remnant of a voice. Shrieked top, and little else.
Timur,beautifully costumed, presented a noble, though wobbly king. The
Mandarin had a superb voice.
Outstanding singers are becoming all too rare.
Patrick Byrne
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